National senior cross country bronze for Offaly athlete

DANIELLE Donegan delivered a superb performance to claim 3rd place in the 123.ie National Senior & U23 Cross Country Championships on Sunday the 23^rd of November. This result all but secures her selection for the Irish Senior Cross Country Team for the upcoming 2025 SPAR European Cross Country Championships, which will take place in Lagoa, Algarve, on 14 December.
The championships, hosted by City of Derry Spartans at the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry, were held in what can only be described as true winter cross-country conditions: bitterly cold winds and persistent rain throughout the day. Although the course was flat, it provided the classic cross-country challenge underfoot -sticky, heavy, and extremely sloppy.
Danielle ran a determined race over the 7,500m course, maintaining her position as she chased down eventual winner Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) and race favourite Niamh Allen (Leevale AC). Danielle finished just 6 seconds behind Niamh. 
Having also finished third in this event last year, Danielle made her debut for the Irish Senior Cross Country Team at last December’s European Championships in Turkey, and her result in this championship is another testament to her consistency and hard work.
Evelyn Coughlan was a commendable 62nd in such tough conditions.

The Senior & U23 Men’s race followed the lady’s event, with the men covering the same distance as the women. Here the line out also featured a very high-quality field and by this stage of the evening, the course had become extremely difficult to navigate and was very sloppy underfoot. The race was perhaps even more exciting for the supporters watching these class athletes master the rough conditions.

The race was won by Brian Fay (Raheny Shamrock A.C.), with Nick Griggs (CNDR Track A.C.) taking second place and first U23, followed by Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers A.C.) in third.

For Tullamore Harriers, Jack Donegan was the first finisher, placing 90th overall and 30th in the U23 category having had a strong run. He was followed closely by Michael Murphy in 91st place and Barry Mooney in 138th.

Tullamore Harriers Results:

Danielle Donegan 27.10

Jack Donegan: 28:21

Michael Murphy: 28:50

Barry Mooney: 31:10

Evelyn Coughlan 31.16

National Juvenile Even Ages Cross Country Championships

Just over a dozen of Tullamore Harriers juvenile squad made the trip north to the compete in the 123.ie National Cross Country Championships held in gruelling conditions at the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry. All raced well and will have gained valuable experience for races in the years ahead.

Ally Duffy put in a stellar performance in the Under 16 race to finish second. She raced well tactically and sat in fourth for most of the race before starting to kick for home with three hundred metres to go. Ally’s run means she will now go forward to represent Ireland at the Celtic Cross Country/Home Nations International U17 event on Saturday February 7th, 2026, in Parliament Hill near London. Also congrats to Ally Duffy and Tilly Cusack who both earned All-Ireland silver medals as they scored on Leinster teams.

Ally Duffy with her silver medal.

Under 12 Girls

43 Sophie Hynes

Under 12 Boys

51 Aubin Walsh

Under 14 Girls

14 Matilda Cusack

38 Sarah Whittaker

143 Annabel Donegan

169 Meabh Boland

Under 14 Boys

51 James Hynes

Under 16 Girls

2 Ally Duffy

Under 16 Boys

38 Daniel Rigney

Under 18/20 Girls

73 Eabhadbh Multaney Kelly

76 Aurelia Crotty

138 Kara Daly

150 Polly Duffy

Under 18/20 Boys

70 Patrick Duffy

NCAA National Championships

Ava O’Connor was in action stateside on Saturday, November 22nd, competing in the NCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships. Representing Adams State University in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Ava delivered an excellent performance, finishing 8th overall in this prestigious event and helping her team secure a strong 4th place finish.

Fixtures

Saturday 29th of November – Leinster B and Juvenile Mixed Relays @Stradbally.

Sunday 30th November – Offaly Senior Cross Country Championships @The Faithful Fields, Kilcormac – 9.30am

Sunday 7th December - Athletics Ireland National Novice and Juvenile Uneven Age Cross Country Championships @Abbotstown, Dublin

Sunday 21^st December – Christmas Grand National Club race- 9am

SEE NEXT: Gone to the dogs: Three Offaly winners as Winter Racing Festival dominates proceedings

Senior Training

Training Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6.40pm to 8.30pm.

For any enquiries contact club captains Glen 0868275228 or Rita 0868386687